Japanator Radio 131

GET THE NEW EPISODE AT JAPANATOR

00:00 iLL - Radio Radio - Force [BUY]  

00:50 Spangle Call Lilli Line - Cliche - View [BUY]
03:38 Lotus Guitar - Rain Drops - Second Tide [BUY]
08:36 Toe - Long Tomorrow - For Long Tomorrow [BUY]

13:51 BREAK: God of War III OST [BUY]

15:42 Sharon Apple - Information High - Cream PUF [BUY]
23:14 Puffy - Atarashii Hibi - Single [BUY]
26:39 Ayumi Hamasaki - Teddy Bear (Hybrid Club Mix) Ayumix III [BUY]

32:59 BREAK: God of War III OST [BUY]

Artist Spotlight: Shugo Tokumaru
35:17 Shugo Tokumaru - Lahaha - Port Entropy [BUY]
38:28 Shugo Tokumaru - Parachute - Exit [BUY]
41:32 Shugo Tokumaru - Typewriter - Night Piece [BUY]
44:56 Shugo Tokumaru - Rum Hee - Port Entropy [BUY]

48:37 BREAK: God of War III OST [BUY]

49:09 Meg - Secret Adventure - Secret Adventure [BUY]
52:22 FLOPPY - Surftronica - PROTOSCIENCE [BUY at JapanFiles]
56:12 School Food Punishment - Pool - School Food Is Good Food [BUY]

1:01:49 iLL - Radio Radio - Force [BUY]   

Omodaka / Far East Recording (沢瀉)

Omodaka and Far East Recording are both names used by one Soichi Terada.

Soichi has been producing a wide variety of electro/techno music since 1989. Browsing through his extensive discography is much like taking a lesson in electro history. He started out like many others in the early 90s with bare-bone, sample filled dance tracks. He gradually shifted into jungle/drum and bass territory with his "Sumo Jungle" series of albums. Much of his music featured bossa rhythms and other more sophisticated elements, propelling his tracks slightly further than the usual stagnant underground house and jungle tracks.

He continued to evolve his sound into a much more lively house realm, pushing the vocal element to the forefront. With his "Monkey Turn" single, he fused his older jungle style with a new, vocal-centric sort of cyber-house, with its robotized traditional style Japanese vocal track. After that he jumped straight into a Daft Punk style of upbeat house tracks with more traditional Japanese folk vocals courtesy of Kanazawa Akiko (I highly recommend checking out the video diaries on her site.) He also slowly incorporated the current trend of using modern/retro 8-bit sounds, eventually creating songs made entirely of vintage video game music tracks. While these songs would be great on their own as instrumentals, the addition of Kanzawa's anachronistic traditional vocals makes for a truly unique mix.

So far Soichi has released only one full album and two EPs featuring his new sound under the name Omodaka. The album CANTATA No.147 is basically a collection of singles (including his excellent version of Bach's Cantata No. 147.) The Favorite Games EP is a natural evolution, pushing the vocals to the bleeding edge and even including some acoustic guitar among the retro-bleeps. Plum Song follows suit, with the same pop sound with a bit more experimentation mixed in.

Omodaka has made a very strong showing at live shows in America. As part of the otherwise all-girl Japan Nite tour, Omodaka has wowed audiences with his odd stage show featuring recorded video of Akiko singing and his own version of shrine-maiden clothing, compete with a spooky mask.

With the amount of attention his work is getting, and (perhaps) more notably the excellent videos that accompany much of his music and a growing number of high profile remixes for the likes of Ram Rider, YMCK and Perfume, we can be sure that we'll be hearing (and seeing) a lot more from Omodaka / Far East Recording in the future.

BUY OMODAKA RELEASES AT AMAZON, HEARJAPAN AND ITUNES

[Photo by Ace0fClub5]

Kokiriko Bushi



Far East Recording
Power of Terada
Twitter

Major Releases
Omodaka - Plum Song EP (2010)
Omodaka - Favorite Games EP (2008)
Omodaka - CANTATA No.147 (2006)
Far East Recording - SUMO JUNGLE GURANDEUR
Far East Recording - SUN SHOWER REMIXES
Far East Recording - NEWS AND OLDIES 1996
Far East Recording - FAR EAST RECORDING 2
Far East Recording - FAR EAST RECORDING

Plum Song


Yosawya-san


Kyotei Zinc (video mix)


Kyotei Daiski


Cantata No. 147


Fortunate 1 Mark


Live


Live @ Holy 8bit Night 1/4


Live @ Holy 8bit Night 2/4


Live @ Holy 8bit Night 3/4


Live @ Holy 8bit Night 4/4


[update 4/28/10]

Calendar 2010 - AKB48 - Anime Expo

July 1
AKB48

Anime Expo 2010
Los Angeles Convention Center - Nokia Theater

The members will also participate in attendee panels, meet-and-greets and autograph sessions.

Source: Anime Expo

Calendar 2010 - Melt Banana - Australia Gigs

May 31-June 2
Melt Banana
Australia Gigs

May 31st: Noise Night at Opera Theatre
Vivid Live at Sydney Opera House - curated by Laurie Anderson and Lou Reed.
w/ Boris and Bardo Pond

June 2nd: MxBx Solo performance at The Studio

Source: Site

Calendar 2010 - Boris - UK/Australia/US gigs

Boris
UK, Australia and US gigs

ALL TOMORROW'S PARTIES Curated by Pavement
May 14 (FRI) 16(SUN)
Butlin's Holiday Centre, Minehead (UK)
Information: http://www.atpfestival.com/

Vivid Live festival Curated by Lou Reed and Laurie Anderson
May 28 (FRI)
Sydney Opera House (Australia)
Information: http://vividlive.sydneyoperahouse.com/Default.aspx

ALL TOMORROW'S PARTIES Curated by Jim Jarmusch
September 5 (SUN)
Kutsher's Country Club, Monticello, New York (USA)
SUNN O))) and BORIS present ALTAR
Information: http://www.atpfestival.com/newsview/1003251415.php

Source: MySpace

Psysalia Psysalis Psyche

Psysalia Psysalis Psyche is an arty, brooding grunge band formed around 2005, though simply calling them a grunge band is selling them woefully short. Like their alliterative name might suggest, they blend styles and sounds from all over the map with loud guitars and sloppily screamed lyrics just one set of paints on their palette. For every jangly song there is an equally soft and shoegazy counterpart, a slightly psychedelic swirl behind the driving rhythms.

While songs like "Take Me Out" and "Midunburi" seem haunted by Kobain's ghost, others like "Lonesome Valley" and the stunning "Narrow" show a much more modern, almost post-punk aesthetic. There are also more sparse and dreary moments like "Act I Scene II Tremolo," and it's follow-up "Tea For Two," both of which seem pulled from an angst-filled film soundtrack.

Whatever they attempt, Psysalia Psysalis Psyche manage to ride the fine-line between obsessive attention to detail and sloppy rage. They have enough coffee-house flair to grab the beard-wearing, iPhone obsessed art-students, while still waving a middle finger in the air. With only a few small releases and one solid album under their belts, it'll be interesting to see what course this young group chooses to blaze.

BUY PSYSALIA PSYSALIS PSYCHE RELEASES AT HEARJAPAN AND CDJAPAN

"Titan Arum"




Official Site
MySpace
Facebook
Twitter

Releases:
Matin Brun (2009)
Midunburi (2009)
Psysalism (2008)
Psysalia Psysalis Psyche EP (2006)

"Butch & the Sundance Kid"


"Midunburi"


"Tetotetoteto"

Videos of the Week: 4/25/10

This is "Ocean," a new video from Bloodthirsty Butchers. It's a pretty simple idea, but it looks fantastic. It's a good match for the sort of calm epicness of the song. The no-frill quality of the sets and stop-motion are also a nice touch. I really like the owl.



Schroeder-Headz "Sleepin'Bird"


This is another great, simple and calm video. Plus I'm a sucker for super high-contrast. The pace of the scenery passing by is a perfect match for the rolling quality of the song. (Found at http://tokyooutthere.com)

Recoride "BaseballMurder"


Budget? Who needs a budget when you have a zillion balloons and an energetic band?

Perfume "Natural Beauty Basic"


It's good to know that, while the world economy is collapsing, that the girls in Perfume are still living like it's 1985. Also, I think Jamiroquai and OK Go have done the slidey dance thing better already. But over 2 million views can't be wrong!

Savlonic/Weebl "Tiny Japanese Girl"


What's not to love about this new video from Weebl? It features some pretty cute Godzilla stuff, as well as a Tiny Japanese Girl playing a synth. Win/win.

Calendar 2010 - It Came From Japan

April 30 - May 15
It Came From Japan
UK Tour
Featuring Lillies and Remains, Natccu, Sunset Drive and Sputniko!

April 30 + 1 May - BRIGHTON
Moshi Moshi Sushi
outdoor festival
Natccu (both days), Sunset Drive (both days) and Sputniko! (May 1)
Free entry! Japanese stalls and food, etc

2 May - LONDON
The Camden Crawl
@ The Fiddler’s Elbow
Natccu, Sunset Drive and Sputniko!
Compere: Rock’n'roll comedian (and Electric Eel Shock’s manager) Bob Slayer. Daytime show! Free sushi! Free entry with festival pass

3 May - BOURNEMOUTH
Solid Air: Mayday! Mayday!
@ The Winchester
Natccu, Sunset Drive
Free entry! Plus other bands from around the world

7 May - LIVERPOOL
Zanzibar
Sunset Drive

8 May - LONDON
Terracotta Film Festival
afterparty @ Slug & Lettuce, Soho
Sunset Drive

12 May - LONDON
Dublin Castle
Sunset Drive

13 May - BRISTOL
Mother’s Ruin
Natccu, Sunset Drive
Free entry! Plus local bands

14 May - LONDON
White Light
@ The Lexington
Natccu

15 May - BRIGHTON
The Great Escape
@ The Basement
Natccu, Sunset Drive, Lillies And Remains
Compere: TV/radio presenter and Japanese music buff Iain Lee. Daytime show! Free sushi! Free beer! Free entry with festival pass

Source: itcamefromjapan.co.uk/

Calendar 2010 - Distant Worlds

June 12 - November 27 (more TBA)
Distant Worlds


June 12, 2010
Stockholm, Sweden
7:30pm
 Stockholm Concert Hall
, Royal Stockholm Philharmonic

Nobuo Uematsu confirmed to attend! 

www.ffdistantworlds.com/stockholm

July 15 and 16, 2010
San Francisco, CA

8:00pm
 Davies Hall, 
San Francisco Symphony

Nobuo Uematsu confirmed to attend!

Guest Artist: Susan Calloway

www.ffdistantworlds.com/sanfrancisco

July 22, 2010
San Diego, CA

8:00pm
 Embarcadero Marina Park, South
 San Diego Symphony

Tickets go on sale May 3, 2010 

www.ffdistantworlds.com/sandiego

July 24, 2010
Houston, TX
7:30pm
 Jones Hall
, Houston Symphony

Tickets go on sale April 15, 2010

www.ffdistantworlds.com/houston


July 30, 2010
Washington DC (Vienna, VA)
8:30pm Wolf Trap Festival, 
National Symphony

Tickets go on sale March 13, 2010

www.ffdistantworlds.com/wolftrap

August 1, 2010
Chicago, IL

8:00pm
 Ravinia Music Festival, 
Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Single seat Tickets go on sale April 22, 2010

www.ffdistantworlds.com/ravinia

November 27, 2010
Toronto, Canada

8:00pm 
Sony Centre for the Performing Arts

Nobuo Uematsu confirmed to attend!

Pre-Sale tickets available at ticketmaster ticket centres, charge by phone 416-872-2262, and online with code "FANTASY" in the "Promotions and Special Offers" box on the purchase page at www.ffdistantworlds.com/toronto

Calendar 2010 - Home Made Kazoku - Otakon

July 30 - August 1
Home Made Kazoku

Otakon
Baltimore, Maryland

Source: Otakon

Calendar 2010 - Delicious Bump Show

Delicious Bump Show
The Pillows, noodles, monokuro, and POP CHOCOLAT

May 21st - Slim's in San Francisco
May 23rd - The Glasshouse in Pomona 

Source: Official Site

Calendar 2010 - Hangry & Angry - EU Tour

May 23-29th
Hangry & Angry
European Tour

May 23rd - Columbiaclub - Berlin, Germany
May 24th - Tavastia - Helsinki, Finland  
May 27th - The Underworld - London, UK
May 29th - La Maroquinerie - Paris, France

Source: twisted-talent.com

Calendar 2010 - Jin Akanishi (of KAT-TUN) LA Shows

June 19th and 20th
Jin Akanishi (of KAT-TUN)
Club Nokia, Los Angeles, CA

Source: www.jinakanishi.us

Explore the Unexplored 27

Lots of great new stuff on the latest edition of Explore the Unexplored!

For instance, check out the sprawling ambient sound-scapes created by Vocaloid producer Ohnuma. Too sedate for you? How about the pop-rock Vocaloid stylings of ecomaru?

If software generated vocals aren't your thing, maybe check out the epic metal of Alhambra, or maybe the super catchy rock of Chima.

Still unimpressed? Well, there's a lot more to check out, so just go over there and see for yourself!

Japanator Radio 130

Here we are again, old friend. Just you, me and a million other people looking on in anticipation for this, the next episode of Japanator Radio!

This week, some great music from the likes of De De Mouse, Winnie, Abingdon Boys School and 9mm Parabellum Bullet! And also others!

Hooray! 

DOWNLOAD EPISODE 130 AT JAPANATOR

FEED

ZUNE

@zacbentz
@japanator

Track-list and links after the jump!

 

00:00 iLL - Radio Radio - Force [BUY]  

00:54 Abingdon Boys School - Pineapple Army - Abingdon Road [BUY]
05:28 The Brown - Puppet or Me [BUY]
12:55 Maximum the Hormone - Chu Chu Lovely Muni Muni Mura Mura Purin Purin Boron Nururu Rero Rero - Buiikkaesu [BUY]

16:03 BREAK: Hardware OST

17:08 Winnie - You'll Be In My Heart - Dinsey Rocks!!
20:51 Bump of Chicken - Caravan - Mahou no Ryori ~Kimi Kara Kimi e~ [BUY]
25:15 wintermute - Sleeping in the Red (feat Hatsune Miku) - Stray Light [BUY at HearJapan]

29:25 BREAK: Hardware OST

Artist Spotlight: 9mm Parabellum Bullet
30:17 9mm Parabellum Bullet - Invitation - Revolutionary [BUY]
32:49 9mm Parabellum Bullet - We Are Innocent - Vampire [BUY]
35:29 9mm Parabellum Bullet - 3031 - Revolutionary [BUY]
38:43 9mm Parabellum Bullet - Punishment - Termination [BUY]

41:12 BREAK: Hardware OST

41:52 Saori@destiney - Baby Tell Me - World Wide 2010 [BUY]
45:35 The Telephones - Girls, Boys, Romantics - A.B.C.D.ep [BUY]
48:22 De De Mouse - Eternal Wind (Migratory Birds Mix) - Love SQ [BUY]

53:03 iLL - Radio Radio - Force [BUY]  

Otaku USA Magazine June 2010

The new action packed issue of Otaku USA Magazine is hitting store shelves in the face as we speak!

This month, I've got an exclusive interview with Japanese nu-metal, vis-rock whatever band girugamesh. They've been making waves in the American scene, and I had the chance to talk to them a bit about what it's like playing around the world. I've also got a review if their new album NOW.

Of course there's a ton of anime, manga, video game and cosplay coverage as well. So run out right now and get the new issue.

Japanator Radio 128

Welcome to the day before April Fool's day. This is not a joke! Do not look for any!

This week, music from Buck-Tick, TM Revolution, Midori and more, as well as Veltpunch in the Artist Spotlight.

Seriously, get ready to not believe anything for 24 hours. I'm just sayin'...You can trust this show.

DOWNLOAD EPISODE 128 AT JAPANATOR

FEED

ZUNE

@zacbentz
@japanator

Track-list and links after the jump!

00:00 iLL - Radio Radio - Force [BUY] 

00:56 Buck-Tick - Dokudanjou Beauty - Single [BUY]
05:20 Sakanaction - Aruku Around - Aruku Around [BUY]
09:40 Remioromen - Hana ni Naru - Kachofugetsu [BUY]

13:08 BREAK: Final Fantasy XIII OST [BUY]

13:55 Nezishiki - Silent High School - n/a [free DL from their site]
15:22 Sensei Kamatte-chan - 23 Year Old Summer - Tomodachi wo Koroshite Made [BUY]
18:48 Midori - Swing - Swing [BUY]

24:15 BREAK: Final Fantasy XIII OST [BUY]

Artist Spotlight: Veltpunch
25:07 Veltpunch - Crash Crash Crash - Black Album [BUY]
31:18 Veltpunch - Sports - White Album [BUY]
35:47 Veltpunch - Crawl - Paint Your Life Gray [BUY]
40:02 Veltpunch - Don't Spit to Your Pineapple - Black Album [BUY]

44:02 BREAK: Final Fantasy XIII OST [BUY]

44:52 TM Revolution - Invoke - X42S-Revolution [BUY]
48:53 Cartonbox - Drive - demo
53:19 Paniyolo - Sunday - I'm Home

56:37 iLL - Radio Radio - Force [BUY] 

Explore the Unexplored 26

Lots of great new releases this week over on HearJapan!

First up is the slick new album from Molice. It's a bit darker than you might have expected from their previous album, but it's still super cool and fun at the same time. There's some of BBQ Chicken's back catalog, all of which is essential listening for any punk lover.

I picked out a few nice shoegazy things this week as well, Like Lily of the Valley, Plastic Girl in Closet and the more electro tinged birds melt sky.

Head on over the Explore the Unexplored 26 and check out all the new releases. You're sure to find something you'll like.